Princeton shows support for Mendota volleyball after loss of teammate – Shaw Local
The Princeton volleyball team wore special shirts in memory of Mendota player Jeniah Francis when the two teams meet in summer league at Sterling High School on Wednesday, July 15. Francis was tragically killed in a July 3 auto accident. (Photo provided by Bella Clevenger)
The Mendota Spikers may have been on the opposite side of the net when they played Princeton in the Sterling summer volleyball league this week, but they found they were not alone.
The Tigresses arrived wearing purple shirts in support of the Mendota team, school and community in the midst of their tragic loss of sophomore teammate Jeniah Francis, killed in a July 3 auto accident.
Most importantly, the Princeton girls brought much love.
Each member of the Princeton team, including players and coaches, wore shirts in Mendota purple, displaying a Trojans logo on the front shaped in a heart on top of the Tigers’ logo. On the back side, there was Jeniah’s No. 4 outlined in a Trojans logo with the inscription: “LLJ” (Love Like Jeniah) with a purple heart and a dove.
Mendota senior hitter Harlow Foltnewicz and sophomore setter Eva Beetz said Princeton’s support really meant a lot to them and all of their teammates.
“The team and I want to thank Princeton for their love and support they showed us. Wearing those shirts to honor Jeniah means so much to her family, friends, teammates and everyone who loved her,” Foltnewicz said. “Their kindness has reminded us that we aren’t going through this alone. As we continue this season we will carry Jeniah’s memory with us every step of the way remembering the love, joy and light she brought to so many people.”
“What Princeton did for us meant more than I can put into words,” Beetz said. “Losing Jeniah has been incredibly hard on everyone. She was my teammate, my friend, and my outside hitter, and I enjoyed being on the court with her so. Seeing Princeton wear the purple LLJ shirts and honor her meant so much to all of us.
“It was really special to see another town come together and show so much love and support for someone who meant so much to us. We will never forget the love and support Princeton showed Jeniah and our team.”
Princeton senior Bella Clevenger (left) and junior Jocelyn Strouss (right) presented Mendota coach Demi Salazar with a special shirt in memory of Mendota player Jeniah Francis, who was killed in a July 3 auto accident when the teams met in summer league at Sterling High School on Wednesday, July 15. (Photo provided by Emma Clevenger)
Princeton senior Bella Clevenger and junior Jocelyn Strouss presented Mendota coach Demi Salazar with a matching shirt of his own.
“It felt good to be able to show our support toward the Mendota volleyball team and community,” Clevenger said. “Even if most of us may not of known her personally, it is still an upsetting subject for everyone. And I could tell it hit Demi hard and I was happy that me and Jocelyn were able to give him his shirt that matched all of ours.
“Even though we will compete against Mendota multiple times throughout the season we will always be thinking about them.”
First-year Princeton head coach Libby Boyles, who has played club ball for Salazar, said it was important for her team to show their support for Mendota.
“We wanted to show our support for the Mendota community through an unthinkable situation,” Boyles said. “It goes to show that playing sports and making those connections is such a privilege that we all are guilty of taking for granted often because we get caught up in the moment.
“You’ve heard me say ‘volleyball family’ many times before. This was our way of honoring a beautiful life taken too soon and supporting our volleyball family, even if they are across the net from us.”
Salazar, who knows many of the Princeton girls from club, said Mendota definitely felt the love.
“It was awesome. You can’t hardly talk sometimes when they do stuff like that,” Salazar said. “We always said that these are the things that make club and families a cool thing.”
Clevenger was pleased to help lift Salazar’s spirits.
“Demi is a great person. He has changed my perspectives for volleyball as well as soccer growing up,” she said. “He’s a supportive human and never loses faith in me or any girls I’ve played with on his team. I feel it’s hard not to be nice and respectful to Demi because of how much of a great person he is. He’s loved by many, including myself and Jocelyn.”
Bureau Valley was also one of many local volleyball teams to show their support with a flower arrangement for Jeniah’s funeral services.
The Princeton volleyball team wore special shirts in memory of Mendota player Jeniah Francis when the two teams meet in summer league at Sterling High School on Wednesday, July 15. The back side of the shirts carried the script “LLJ,” standing for “Love Like Jeniah.” Francis was tragically killed in a July 3 auto accident. (Photo provided by Bella Clevenger)
Kevin has been sports editor of the BCR since 1986, covering Bureau County/IL Valley Sports. Was previously sports editor of the St. Louis Daily News and a regular contributor for the St. Louis Cardinals Magazine. He is a member of the IBCA and Illinois Valley Hall of Fames. Fun fact: he is one of 4 sportswriters from his tiny hometown Atlanta, IL